Social Security Administration (SSA) Overview

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an agency of the United States Federal government responsible for issuing social security numbers (SSNs) and administering federal benefits. Below is an overview of the benefits administered by SSA.

Refer to the specific program handbook(s) for policy related to potentially available income.

Important: The following information may not be inclusive of all requirements for benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Refer to the SSA website for up-to-date and complete information regarding the benefits listed below.

Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance (RSDI)

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) is a federally funded program that provides monetary benefits to individuals who have lost their earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.

Title II Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Title II Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are paid to individuals who cannot work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last twelve months or longer, or result in death.
Title II SSDI criteria are as follows, the individual must:

Be totally disabled.
Have worked and paid FICA taxes for at least 20 of the 40 quarters before the onset of disability.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are issued to individuals who are blind, or disabled, or 65 or older, and who have low income and resources. SSI is based on the individual’s financial need, and not in the work history.
SSI eligibility criteria is as follows, the individual must:

Be at least age 65, or blind, or disabled.
Have limited income (wages, pensions, etc.)
Have limited resources
Be a U.S. citizen, national of the U.S., or meet certain requirements if not a U.S. citizen.
Reside in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Medicare

Medicare is a Federal Health Insurance Program that provides health insurance benefits to eligible persons aged 65 or older, and to persons younger than 65 who are blind or have certain disabilities. Persons in need of renal dialysis or a kidney transplant may also qualify for Medicare. There are four parts of Medicare which provide different coverage as follows:

Part A – Hospital Insurance

Covers inpatient care at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospices. Most people do not have to pay for Part A.

Part B – Medical Insurance

Helps with the coverage of services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.Most people pay monthly for Part B.

Part C – Medicare Advantage

It is an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually Part D. It is run by private companies and approved by the federal government. Costs and coverage types vary by provider.

Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Helps with prescription drug coverage. Enrollment in Parts A and B is required before enrolling in Part D. It is run by private companies and approved by the federal government.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a Federal Health Insurance Program administered by State agencies. In California, the federally mandated medical assistance program is called Medi-Cal and it is administered by State Department of Health Services (DHS). This program pays for a variety of medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources.

Non-Medical Out of Home Care (NMOHC)

NMOHC includes adult individuals or couples who receive non-medical care and supervision for certain specified circumstances related to their individual needs while residing in the home of a relative, legal guardian, conservator, or in a state-licensed NMOHC facility.

NMOHC also includes children who are blind and/or disabled and not residing with a relative who is their parent or legal guardian.

Individuals approved for SSI may be eligible for NMOHC.

Individuals who express a need for NMOHC, must be referred to the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program by providing the Authorization For non-medical Out of Home Care [Board and Care] (SSP 22) form.

Note: Certification for NMOHC and certification for IHSS are mutually exclusive. An individual may potentially be approved for one or the other, but not for both at the same time.

Evaluation Process for NMOHC

Important: Eligibility Workers are not involved in this process.

IHSS conducts the evaluation to determine if an SSI recipient is eligible for NMOHC.

The SSA Claims Rep:

Completes the SSP 22 form.
Faxes form to (408) 792-1603 or mails to:

IHSS Intake

373 Julian St.

San Jose, CA 95110

The IHSS Staff:

Receives and reviews referral for completeness.

If...	Then IHSS Staff...
SSP 22 is incomplete,	Denies the request for NMOHC. Returns SSP 22 to SSA.
SSP 22 is complete,	Contacts SSI recipient. Determines if they meet NMOHC qualifications.
SSI recipient does not meet the criteria,	Denies the request for NMOHC. Returns SSP 22 to SSA.
SSI recipient chooses NMOHC*(more beneficial),	Authorizes NMOHC. Returns SSP 22 to SSA.
SSI recipient chooses IHSS*(more beneficial),	Denies the request for NMOHC. Returns SSP 22 to SSA. Completes IHSS Intake application.

*Certification for non-medical out-of-home care and certification for IHSS are mutually exclusive. An individual may potentially be approved for one or the other, but not for both at the same time.

Note: If needed, consult with IHSS for their current process.

Social Security Benefit Verification Letters

Social Security proof or SSI benefits verification letters can be obtained online through my Social Security account, refer to the SSA website to Create An Account or Sign in.
Information available online includes:

Benefit amount and type
Medicare start date and withholding amount (if applicable)
Age

Verification letters can also be obtained by calling the SSA toll-free number at (800) 772-1213 /TTY (800) 325- 0778 to request that a letter be mailed.

IMPORTANT: Social Security field offices will only issue benefit verification letters in emergency situations, cases of hardship, or when a benefit verification is needed and cannot be obtained through another service channel.

Social Security Administration Offices

Social Security Administration Website

Information and questions related to the Social Security Administration can be accessed at the Social Security Administration website at The United States Social Security Administration, or by calling SSA at (800) 772-1213.

Local SSA Offices

Local Social Security Field Offices provide services to the public according to their zip code. A local field office can be found by using the Find a Field Office by zip code locator tool on the SSA website.

SSA Liaisons

Per Social Services Agency's policy, social security related questions must be addressed as follows:

Eligibility Worker to Eligibility Work Supervisor.
Eligibility Work Supervisor to SSA Liaison Supervisor for the District Office.
SSA Liaison Supervisor to Social Security Administration Liaison.